Question 1

How do you remember Dobutamine?

Accepted Answer

Dobutamine breaks down as DOBUT = do beat + AMINE = of mine. Break dobutamine into DOBUT (sounds like do beat) and AMINE (sounds like of mine). Dobutamine tells the heart to do beat. You know it acts on beta-1, because beat starts with b and it drives one pounding heart, thus beta-1 agonist. It boosts contractility and cardiac output, so the failing heart pumps harder. Beta-1 on, heart beats stronger.

Question 2

What class of drug is Dobutamine?

Accepted Answer

Dobutamine is a Beta-1 Agonist • Inotrope • Acute Heart Failure.

Question 3

How is Dobutamine tested on the USMLE?

Accepted Answer

Dobutamine is a beta-1 agonist. Activating beta-1 receptors on the heart increases contractility (a positive inotrope) and heart rate, which raises cardiac output. It is used for acute decompensated heart failure and cardiogenic shock.

Question 4

A 64-year-old man admitted with acute decompensated heart failure is started on an intravenous infusion to raise his cardiac output. Over the next hour his contractility improves, but his heart rate climbs and he develops frequent premature ventricular beats. Which receptor action best explains both the improved pumping and the new arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

C - Dobutamine is a beta-1 agonist. Stimulating cardiac beta-1 receptors raises contractility and cardiac output, but it also increases automaticity and myocardial oxygen demand, which is why tachycardia and arrhythmias appear. A is wrong because cardiac inotropy runs through beta-1, not beta-2, B misstates alpha-1 since it raises afterload rather than driving this arrhythmia, and D describes a beta-blocker, the opposite of dobutamine.

Dobutamine

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